Wall adds privacy, as well as seating to 'outdoor' room

Outdoor Spaces:Good IdeasA low wall not only shields space in this indoor/outdoor room, but also provides banquette seating.`

The yearning for green spaces may be felt most acutely by those living in highly urbanized areas. In fact, lots of city-dwellers secretly or openly envy friends whose homes permit outdoor as well as indoor living.

If you're among the fortunate with access to a patio, garden or balcony, let me recommend one of the many how-to books on designing an outdoor area. In "Outdoor Spaces: Good Ideas" (published by Collins Design, an imprint of Harper Collins), author Ana Canizares discusses a variety of beautiful settings. The photos and text may appeal as much to studio apartment dwellers as to those with ample outdoor spaces attached to their homes.

In some parts of the country, it may be late in the season to undertake a new design or a makeover of an outdoor space. But the present is always a good time to start planning such a project.

Q:I much enjoy my covered terrace, but I'd use it more often if it weren't visible from my neighbor's yard. Can you suggest how I might achieve at least partial privacy without impinging on the view or the sense of openness that the terrace provides?

A: I'm not sure what exactly you mean by "partial privacy." But perhaps the arrangement shown in the accompanying photo approximates what you'd like to achieve.

This particular indoor/outdoor covered area is located in Tarragona, Spain, and is featured in Canizares' book. With a few stylistic adjustments eliminating some of the rustic finishes, for example the design could be applied almost anywhere.

Please note how form has here been made to complement function.

The low wall built by the home's owners partly shields the space while at the same time allowing for introduction of low banquette-style seating. Extension of the banquette and cushions to an adjoining wall affords further seating and lounging opportunities.

Such a semi-enclosure would make your own space feel more private, even though it won't totally discourage snoopy neighbors. Additional shielding from wandering eyes can be had, however, by placing bushy potted plants on the low wall.

I find this practical solution particularly attractive because it makes use of fabrics, cushions and accessories in synch with the inherently informal ambience of an outdoor space.

And, by the way, if you haven't already installed electrical outlets on your terrace, the construction work will give you an opportunity to equip the space for nighttime as well as daytime use.

Readers with general interior design questions for Rita St. Clair can e-mail her at rsca@ritastclair.com.